Mackerel is a relative of the mighty tuna. They may be small but their speed and stamina is similar to tuna. They are also a beautiful fish and good to eat if prepared well.
Where can you go mackerel fishing in Halifax? From around June to late fall mackerel can be found just about anywhere there is salt water. If you can find a safe spot to fish from rocks or a wharf you will have a good chance to catch mackerel.
Here are a few of those great spots that are within the Halifax area. Some can be driven up to and some require a bit of walking but are well worth it. I have also included some other spots where flounder can be caught as well.
#1 Herring Cove
Around a 20min drive from downtown Halifax you can reach a wharf in the village of Herring Cove. The pier extends out into Herring Cove. What types of fish can be caught here? (Update: This wharf was damaged during a recent hurricane, it was then repaired however you can no longer fish easily from the wharf since it was reinforced by surrounding it with large boulders).
- Mackerel
- Flounder
- Pollock
- Squid
#2 High Head Trail
“The Alley” is another great fishing spot located in Prospect, Nova Scotia. To get to this spot you must park your vehicle at the end of Hages Ln. You then take the high head trail. The trail hugs the rocky shore until you reach “The Alley”. Fishing for mackerel at this location is fantastic. At times the best spots on the rocks can be taken, but when the mackerel are running well there is fish for everyone.
#3 Beaches
It’s a little known secret that a great place to go for flounder is around beaches. Of course you don’t want to go to a crowded beach where people are swimming and haul out your fishing pole and tackle. However, if you can find one of the many less crowded beaches and go when no one is there than you have a good chance to catch flounder. Flounder is in my opinion the best eating of all the saltwater fish around Halifax.
#4 Bedford Basin
I have only once been fishing in the Basin. However, I see people fishing in these locations regularly. One is right downtown beside the farmers market. I’ve seen people catch mackerel right off the boardwalk. The other spot is off of the Bedford Highway, on a wharf that extends into Mill Cove. This spot can get quite busy so this is why I personally never have gone.
Whats The Best Way To Catch Mackerel?
If you are in the right spot and are patient, it is very easy to catch mackerel. What kind of set up do you need? Sabiki Rigs work great for catching Mackerel because the hooks are smaller and have less of a chance of damaging the fish. You can order them online at amazon.ca or purchase them at Hi-Liner Fish And Tackle in Clayton Park. A similar style rig (although not sabiki) can be purchased at Canadian Tire. All you need is weight, or weighted lure at the one end and then attach the other end to your line and you are good to go. Usually if one mackerel hits your line others will hit it as well because they are in a schooling pattern. So there is usually a lot of action when they are running. This rig works fine for catching pollock as well. Flounder is a bottom feeder so it requires a different setup. Usually using bait such as squid and weight is all that is needed to catch flounder. Because they have a very small mouth, usually using a smaller hook is best.
How do you catch squid? Squid can be best caught on a squid lure. You let the squid lure rest on the bottom and then jig it. You need to let it rest for a bit in between jerks. This motion allows the squid to grab the lure. Instead of hooks, the lure has many little metal spikes that the squid’s tentacles become entangled in. When this happens you just real it in. Watch out for the ink spray!
How do we eat mackerel here in Nova Scotia?
Well there are many ways to prepare and cook mackerel. One way that is popular is to fry it. However, my personal favourite is smoked mackerel. It is by far the best way to eat it in my opinion. If you can find someone local that can smoke what you catch himself, it is the best. So catch your mackerel and get it smoked!
Learn more about Nova Scotia. Take a camping trip along the lesser-traveled Marine Drive.
Want to know where to camp while visiting Halifax? See our other post Where Can You Camp In Halifax?